The celebration banquet was held within the imperial palace, featuring delicacies, fine wine, singing, and dancing, showcasing the utmost luxury of the Empire.
After three rounds of drinks, when the atmosphere was at its peak, Xue Qinghe suddenly stood up, walked to the center, and bowed to Emperor Xue Ye.
"Father, the reason our Heaven Dou Empire has achieved such glory in this Soul Master Tournament is entirely due to the Prodigies of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy giving their all and defeating powerful enemies."
"I believe that such great merit must be generously rewarded to demonstrate the Empire's grace and to set an example for the world's talents."
Qian Renxue's voice was clear and resonant, echoing through the hall, as her earnest gaze swept over the members of the Heaven Dou team seated below.
The hall fell silent instantly, with all eyes focused on Xue Qinghe.
Emperor Xue Ye wore a prepared smile. He put down his wine cup and looked at Xue Qinghe with satisfaction.
"What Qinghe says deeply aligns with my thoughts. My ministers and I have already decided on the rewards."
He looked around the room, and an official immediately stood up from his seat, taking out a pre-drafted decree to read aloud:
"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Main Team—Shi Yue, Yun Luo, Zhang Xian, Sorece, Lin Beixing, and Wang Yang—exhibited great bravery in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament, bringing honor to our country. Thus, they are granted the rank of Viscount and 100,000 gold coins as a reward."
"All members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Sub-team, although they did not win the championship, have also brought glory to the country. Their contributions are equally indispensable. All members are specially granted the rank of Viscount and 50,000 gold coins as a reward."
As the words fell, the members whose names were called stood up one after another and bowed to express their gratitude.
Except for a few like Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, the rest all showed expressions of wild joy.
Although Viscount was not an extremely high rank, for Spirit Masters of their age, it was already a great honor and a solid Foundation.
After reading that group, Emperor Xue Ye and everyone present turned their gaze toward Yang Yuan.
Everyone knew the main event had arrived.
The official took a deep breath, his expression solemn, and continued: \"Yang Yuan, captain of the Heaven Dou Main Team, has shown exceptional leadership, leading the team to win the overall championship of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament. With his youthful vigor, he has raised the prestige of our Heaven Dou Empire to the pinnacle of the continent. This is no ordinary merit.\"
"Given that Yang Yuan, the captain of the Heaven Dou Main Team, previously held the title of Count, he is hereby promoted to the rank of Prince, with the title—Qitian!"
"King Qitian!!"
Ennobled as a Prince!
Everyone present looked at Yang Yuan in unison, but the latter remained calm and composed.
Only then did the crowd remember the deeds of this young man.
What was being ennobled as a Prince?
He was a man who had even refused the position of Supreme Pontiff!
Yang Yuan smiled faintly, stood up, and cupped his hands toward Emperor Xue Ye, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing Yang Yuan accept the title, an irrepressible smile immediately appeared on Emperor Xue Ye's face.
Yang Yuan had refused Spirit Hall's position of Supreme Pontiff but accepted the Heaven Dou Empire's title. Didn't this mean his heart was still with the Heaven Dou Empire?
This was truly wonderful. With Yang Yuan around, why would the Heaven Dou Empire need to fear the Star Luo Empire or Spirit Hall?
He laughed heartily and then spoke: "The rank of King Qitian is above that of the Imperial Princes and equal to mine. He is exempt from bowing to the sovereign, may wear his sword and shoes into the palace, enjoys the highest salary in the Empire, may establish his own personal guard, and shall govern the Three Southwestern Provinces. This title is hereditary and perpetual, lasting as long as the Empire itself."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar once again.
Such treatment, while perhaps not quite matching the position of Supreme Pontiff, was already the limit of what Emperor Xue Ye could offer.
It was conceivable that in order to win over Yang Yuan, Emperor Xue Ye had truly gone all out.
One must realize that this was not just a noble title, but an actual enfeoffed vassal king with hereditary succession.
Possessing this rank was equivalent to having a legal, massive, and inheritable independent kingdom within the Heaven Dou Empire.
Even Imperial Princes did not possess such a status.
Emperor Xue Ye looked at the shocked crowd, his heart perfectly clear.
Before making this reward, he had naturally weighed the options.
But what truly made him reach a final decision was Yang Yuan's act of refusing the Supreme Pontiff's position in front of Spirit Hall.
How could a Prodigy who disdained even the highest authority of the continent's Spirit MasterHoly Land covet his Heaven Dou Empire's throne?
Not only was the risk of this investment extremely small, but the potential returns were immeasurable... The news of Yang Yuan being ennobled as King Qitian soon spread to every corner of Heaven Dou City.
Shrek Academy.
A group of Shrek Academy students were also discussing the news they had just received, their faces filled with amazement.
Ordinary students did not have much resentment toward the members of Heaven Dou Academy or Yang Yuan, so after hearing about Yang Yuan's deeds, many of them actually felt a sense of reverence for him.
However, for the Shrek team members who had participated in the competition back then, this news caused them to show complex expressions.
After learning about that series of deeds by Yang Yuan, they had initially thought it was just a rumor.
But as time passed, these rumors were confirmed to be true.
Under the deterrent of Yang Yuan's terrifying strength, they could be said to have no thoughts of revenge at all.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar looked fearful, secretly glad they hadn't offended Yang Yuan to the point of no return.
Dai Mubai had similar thoughts, but ever since the Soul Master Tournament, he had completely given up on that throne. Upon returning to Heaven Dou City, he resumed his old life of debauchery, spending his days in brothels, even more decadent than when he was in Suotuo City.
Yu Tianheng was deeply discouraged, a hint of regret welling up in his heart. If he had humbled himself and befriended Yang Yuan back then, if he hadn't left Heaven Dou Academy, perhaps he would also be filled with glory and honor now.
As for Flender and Liu Erlong, they were busy traveling around to heal Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
As soon as the two returned to Heaven Dou City, they immediately contacted Ye Qingyu, the current Clan Chief of the Nine Heart Begonia Family, hoping she could lend a hand to treat Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
But Ye Qingyu also knew a bit about the grievances between Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, and Yang Yuan, so she refused Flender and Liu Erlong.
The two were helpless. In the end, Liu Erlong could only return to her Family and secretly inform Yu Yuanzhen of the matter.
She knew that the vast majority of the clan, including her father, looked down on Yu Xiaogang.
But Yu Yuanzhen still cared for this son.
When Yu Yuanzhen learned of Yu Xiaogang's miserable state, although he knew Yang Yuan was the one responsible, after learning the cause and effect, he could only grieve for his misfortune and feel angry at his failure to strive.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had always been proud and protective of its own, but as the Clan Chief, Yu Yuanzhen naturally had many concerns.
With the terrifying strength Yang Yuan had displayed, he was no longer someone the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could afford to provoke.
Moreover, Yang Yuan and Yu Tianxin still had some friendship. So even if Yu Yuanzhen loved Yu Xiaogang dearly, he could not become Yang Yuan's enemy for Yu Xiaogang's sake.
However, Yu Xiaogang was his son after all, so he still used the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's influence. Although he couldn't convince Ye Qingyu, he managed to get another Healing System Soul Saint.
Under the treatment of that Healing System Soul Saint, although the injuries of Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were still not fully healed, the recovery time for both was greatly shortened.
Although Tang San's bones and tendons were all broken, which seemed serious, it was actually easier for him to recover.
But Yu Xiaogang was in a miserable state. Although his injuries didn't seem that severe, his Meridians had been damaged, and there was no longer any possibility of healing them. In the future, he could only refer to Liu Erlong as his sister.
(End of Chapter)
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